Here's Why the FDA Is Warning Parents Against Nests, Wedges and More Baby Sleep Positioners

Baby sleep safety can be a tricky topic to navigate. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) issues regular safe sleep recommendations, and the organization officially warns parents against using sleep positioners such as pillows and wedges, loungers, nests and similar products. Why? Because despite the fact that these products are intended to prevent babies from rolling over in their sleep, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has linked them to at least 12 infant deaths in the U.S.

However, a quick stroll through any big-box store or online retailer shows that baby sleep positioners are still readily available (not to mention, they show up in a lot of stock images, which most news outlets use for sleep-related stories). Now, the FDA is issuing an official warning — its first since 2010 — saying that these products pose a suffocation risk to babies and telling parents not to use them.

The FDA's warning calls out two specific types of positioners: bolsters — which the agency defines as a mat with a pillow attached to each side — and wedges. Both are designed to keep babies sleeping in specific positions and are geared toward babies under 6 months old. However, the FDA's warning asserts unequivocally that parents and caregivers should not put babies to sleep in these or other sleep positioners.

Here's what the AAP does recommend when it comes to safe sleep practices. Babies should:

Be put to sleep on their backs at least until they turn 1. (Once children can roll front-to-back and back-to-front on their own, there’s no need to intervene if they turn themselves over.)

Sleep on a firm sleep surface. (If they fall asleep in a car seat, swing, carrier or other device, they should be moved to a firm surface as soon as possible.)

Sleep in a setting without soft objects, loose bedding or anything that could entrap, suffocate or strangle them.

Never sleep on a couch, sofa or armchair.

Not be swaddled or be swaddled only until they begin to try to roll over, with swaddles that are not too tight and don’t restrict breathing or hip movement.

Be offered a pacifier before sleep once breastfeeding is established. (It’s OK if it falls out after your baby is asleep or if your baby turns it down.)

Be brought into a parent’s bed only for feeding or comforting. (If there’s any chance you might fall asleep, make sure to remove sheets, pillows and other items that could suffocate or overheat your baby.)

When in doubt, ask your baby's pediatrician for advice. He or she can answer any questions you have, clarify anything you don't understand and help you make the right sleep choices for your baby and family.